In a community brimming with restaurants catering to the tourists, both in offerings and price points, Counter Culture is a restaurant that caters to Santa Fe locals, with ample space to lounge, sip coffee, do a sudoku puzzle, or catch up with friends. The cafe was established in 1996 by owner-manager Jason Aufrichtig, becoming a Santa Fe go-to for breakfast and lunch over the ensuing decades.
Locally Sourced Comfort Food
Counter Culture’s menu is diverse, with plenty of vegetarian and began options. Like many of my favorite local restaurants, they have a well stocked bakery case of carbohydrate laden temptation. The smothered breakfast burrito and huevos rancheros are personal favorites, but they have so many outstanding breakfast options, like standard eggs and bacon, frittata, omelettes of all sorts, waffles, pancakes, or french toast. Sandwiches and hand-formed burgers are served with fresh haystack fries. Entrées include a number of seafood options, like grilled rainbow trout with saffron aïoli or a grilled salmon sandwich. Whatever you order, try to save room for dessert or take a baked tasty treat to-go.
Counter Culture uses locally sourced organic ingredients, including Fano Bread, Aroma Organic Coffee, Local Sprouts, 100% Real Maple Syrup, Non GMO Oil, Organic Greens, Horizon Yogurt, New Mexico Beef, Filtered H2O, and Redbird Natural Chicken. The menu is diverse and offers plenty of vegetarian and vegan choices.
Communal Dining
Located a couple of miles from the Santa Fe Plaza, Counter Culture has a loyal base of regulars, augmented by tourists who research food options ahead of time. Customers place their order at the counter, where the cashier gives them a number to take to the table. It is a serve yourself environment in terms of gathering silverware, napkins, and water, but servers will deliver the order.
Though the tables are communal, strangers don’t typically ask to share your table unless it gets busy. Additionally, there is seating on the patios in front and back. Both areas are dog-friendly.
Notes: They do NOT accept credit cards. There isn’t a lot of parking in front of the restaurant. However, there is ample overflow parking available across the street.
Counter Culture
930 Baca St #1
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 995-1105
Hours
Monday – Sunday | 8 AM – 3 PM
